Portret van Albert Schumacher op 68-jarige leeftijd 1720 - 1743

Editor: Here we have "Portrait of Albert Schumacher at the Age of 68," an engraving by Christian Fritzsch dating from 1720 to 1743. The level of detail achieved through engraving is incredible. What stands out to you, looking at this portrait? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the way this portrait presents not just an individual, but also the institutional power he embodies. Albert Schumacher, identifiable by the inscription below, was clearly a figure of authority. Consider the period: portraiture of this kind, especially rendered as a print, served to disseminate images of power and reinforce social hierarchies. How do you think the medium of engraving contributes to this effect? Editor: That makes sense! The crisp lines of the engraving definitely lend an air of formality and permanence. Was printmaking often used in this way, as a sort of public relations for institutions? Curator: Absolutely. Think of this portrait not just as an image of Schumacher, but as a piece of institutional propaganda. The Baroque style, with its emphasis on grandeur, further reinforces this. Notice the framing of Schumacher within the oval, perched above the elaborate base. These elements are meant to communicate the stability and prestige associated with his role and the institutions he represents. How does it contrast to more modern portraiture? Editor: Hmm, in modern portraits, we expect more personal expression and less focus on presenting status, it's interesting to see how overtly this print communicates authority! Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Indeed, seeing it in this light shows us much more about the social functions of art, and printmaking in the early 18th century.